Graduate Opportunities

Our Opportunities Application Process

Leonardo's award-winning graduate programme develops promising young graduates into engineers and business professionals of the future.

As a large international technologically innovative company, the key to our success is the passion of our people. Each year, Leonardo seeks to recruit enthusiastic people for its graduate programme who are willing to drive change. Your talent and energy are essential to the future of our high-tech business to continue evolving in the competitive market and to ensure we meet our customers’ needs.

From our focus on radar technology at our Edinburgh site, to our Home of British Helicopters in Yeovil, we offer exciting opportunities to talented graduates who want to work at the forefront of technology, gaining practical experience and developing in a supportive environment. With Leonardo, you can look forward to a career working alongside highly skilled professionals who are passionate about their work.

Our graduate training programme has been designed to support your first steps after leaving university and to help you develop your career. Through a comprehensive induction programme, you will have the chance to gain a complete picture of the organisation and be involved in real challenges from day one. You will have the opportunity to learn from colleagues who are experts in their field, while always being encouraged to use your initiative.

Please click on the relevant tab below for details of the graduate opportunities available within our Electronics or Helicopters businesses in the UK.

Electronics

All the graduate roles in our Electronics business require predicted minimum of either an upper second class honours degree in a relevant discipline (including physics, mathematics, electronic engineering, systems engineering, avionics and computer science for our technical engineering roles) or a higher degree such as an MSc. or PhD.

Applications are now closed for our graduate programme commencing in autumn 2023 at our Scottish and English sites. They will reopen in autumn 2023, for roles starting in 2024 covering business support, engineering and manufacturing and supply chain.

Leonardo is globally renowned and are continually expanding, offering exciting opportunities to talented graduates who want to work at the forefront of technology.

On joining Leonardo's Electronics graduate programme, you will unlock a wealth of development opportunities and further learning. You will receive mentoring, coaching and support to achieve your personal goals and accreditation from your professional body. You will be working at the cutting-edge of technology, as well as enhancing your skills and business acumen, opening up your horizons to the diverse and dynamic ways in which your degree can be used.

Benefits

The Leonardo Electronics Graduate Development Programme is a 12-month Fast Track Programme that allows graduates to gain practical experience within the organisation to support your professional development. This is alongside further development activities across the wider Leonardo business, which aim to ensure a smooth integration into the company whilst providing essential skills, knowledge and networking opportunities.

With over 400 trainees across the UK, we offer a thriving social network, with regular social events organised to integrate newcomers.

As part of our ongoing commitment to young peoples' educational development (demonstrated by our Gold level accreditation by Investors in Young People), all UK graduates will attend a short module away from the office to develop themselves and their network across the company.

Entry requirements

  • Minimum of a 2:1 Bachelor’s Degree or a higher degree (such as MSc or PhD) in a relevant degree as stated above
  • Industry experience beneficial but not essential
  • Tenacity, fresh thinking and enthusiasm
  • Analytical Mind
  • A strong team player
  • Conscientious and keen to learn
  • A keen interest in pursuing a career in the aerospace industry
  • Must be eligible for UK Security Clearance. Normally this is to the level of Security Check (typically known as “SC”) for our business which includes having a minimum of 5 years’ permanent residency in the UK

Frequently Asked Questions about our graduate programme

Helicopters

Leonardo Helicopters is a world leader in helicopter manufacture. We design, develop and manufacture an unrivalled range of helicopters and rotary wing technology for civil and military customers, with primary operations in the UK, USA, Italy and Poland.

Applications are now closed for our helicopters graduate programme commencing in autumn 2023 at our Yeovil site in the heart of Somerset. They will reopen in autumn 2023, for roles starting in 2024

The ideal candidates will have studied a degree bearing relevance to Engineering, Business Studies, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Procurement and Supply Chain, Finance or Business Information Systems, and will have a keen interest in pursuing a career in aerospace.

The two-year programme will provide a personalised placement plan to prepare you for a permanent role within the business, on successful completion of the scheme. It represents an excellent opportunity for a career-minded person to gain a breadth of experience in a number of areas, before moving into a full-time role.

Benefits

The Leonardo Helicopter Graduate Development Programme is a two-year programme that allows graduates to complete a number of 3-6 month placements designed to provide practical experience within the organisation.

Alongside this, graduates complete several development activities at company and group level, which aim to ensure a smooth integration into the company whilst providing essential skills, knowledge and networking opportunities.

With over 200 trainees at Leonardo Helicopters from apprentices to graduates, a thriving social network exists, with regular social events organised to integrate newcomers.

Graduates will be based primarily within our Yeovil manufacturing HQ in Somerset, but potential opportunities exist for secondments and international travel.

Entry Requirements

  1. Minimum of a 2:1 Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant degree as stated above
  2. Industry experience beneficial but not essential
  3. Tenacity, fresh thinking and enthusiasm
  4. Analytical Mind
  5. A strong team player
  6. Conscientious and keen to learn
  7. A keen interest in pursuing a career in the Aerospace industry
  8. Must be eligible for UK Security Clearance. Normally this is to the level of Security Check (typically known as “SC”) for our business which includes having a minimum of 5 years’ permanent residency in the UK

Frequently Asked Questions about our graduate programme

For further enquiries about our helicopter graduate programme, please call us on 01935 702 897.

Early Careers application process

Stage 1 – Application Form

The first stage of the application process is to complete the application form and upload your CV for the desired role you want to apply for.

Please note: in order to apply for our opportunities, you must be eligible for UK Security Clearance. Normally this is to the level of Security Check (typically known as “SC”) for our business which includes having a minimum of 5 years’ permanent residency in the UK.

Stage 2 – On-Demand Video & Game-based Assessments

online assessment screenshot

If you pass the Eligibility Questionnaire you will automatically be sent an invitation to complete the on-demand video interview and game-based assessments.

Given the limited roles available and the large numbers of applications we are receiving, we strongly recommend that you complete the following two activities as soon as you receive confirmation of your eligibility.

On Demand Video Interview – You will be asked several competency-based questions, providing you with the opportunity to record a video of yourself answering each one. Some practice questions will get you comfortable with the process and the HireVue platform. Once you have completed the practice questions, you will begin the interview. 

Game-based Assessments – Once you have completed the Video interview, you will complete the game-based assessments, featuring two timed games that you will be scored on.

After completing both sections, you will receive an email thanking you and noting that you will hear from Leonardo soon.

Stage 3 – Interview & Presentations

screenshot of an interview

If you are successful after the On-demand and Game-based Assessments, you will be contacted to arrange a live interview. During the live interview, you will be asked to complete a presentation which is relevant to the role.

Below is what you will see during the interview process, along with instructions on how to share your screen if you have a PowerPoint that you want to share as part of your presentation.

You will be presented with three options for sharing your screen:

  1. Your entire screen
  2. Application Window
  3. NW.js Tab.

Please click the Application window option and select the correct window to display your presentation.

Stage 4 – Offer

After the interview and presentation, we will provide all candidates with feedback. If you are successful in your application, the Leonardo recruitment team will subsequently contact you to formally offer you the role.

Our early careers opportunities starting in autumn 2023 are now open. Please note that our early careers roles attract a high volume of applicants who are screened on a first come first serve basis. As a result, applications will be closed when each role is filled.

Early Career Opportunities within Leonardo

Early Career Opportunities within Leonardo

Download our Early Careers brochure for information about Leonardo's UK apprenticeships, graduate programme, industrial placements, summer placements and work experience opportunities.

Download Leonardo's Early Career Opportunities brochure
More about Leonardo's Early Career opportunities